Windowlight (digital download)
WIndowlight is a companion piece to my etude Night Light. It is, on one level, an etude for double vertical strokes (two mallets in one hand striking the marimba bars simultaneously instead of separately). But it is also a piece, like Night Light, that is a musical depiction of finding light in darkness. The feeling, both real and metaphorical, of being lost in the dark woods and then seeing a faint glow in the distance. A familiar light that draws you to safety, and warmth, and joy. To a place that feels like home.
Windowlight was commissioned by a consortium of percussion educators in Oklahoma.
Dr. Andrew Richardson, organizer – University of Oklahoma
Micheal Barnes – Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Dr. Tommy Dobbs – Oklahoma City University
Cameron Duncan – Oklahoma Baptist University
Dr. Nicholaus Meyers – East Central University
Clayton Peliti – Southern Nazarene University
Bill Repavich – University of Central Oklahoma
WIndowlight is a companion piece to my etude Night Light. It is, on one level, an etude for double vertical strokes (two mallets in one hand striking the marimba bars simultaneously instead of separately). But it is also a piece, like Night Light, that is a musical depiction of finding light in darkness. The feeling, both real and metaphorical, of being lost in the dark woods and then seeing a faint glow in the distance. A familiar light that draws you to safety, and warmth, and joy. To a place that feels like home.
Windowlight was commissioned by a consortium of percussion educators in Oklahoma.
Dr. Andrew Richardson, organizer – University of Oklahoma
Micheal Barnes – Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Dr. Tommy Dobbs – Oklahoma City University
Cameron Duncan – Oklahoma Baptist University
Dr. Nicholaus Meyers – East Central University
Clayton Peliti – Southern Nazarene University
Bill Repavich – University of Central Oklahoma
WIndowlight is a companion piece to my etude Night Light. It is, on one level, an etude for double vertical strokes (two mallets in one hand striking the marimba bars simultaneously instead of separately). But it is also a piece, like Night Light, that is a musical depiction of finding light in darkness. The feeling, both real and metaphorical, of being lost in the dark woods and then seeing a faint glow in the distance. A familiar light that draws you to safety, and warmth, and joy. To a place that feels like home.
Windowlight was commissioned by a consortium of percussion educators in Oklahoma.
Dr. Andrew Richardson, organizer – University of Oklahoma
Micheal Barnes – Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Dr. Tommy Dobbs – Oklahoma City University
Cameron Duncan – Oklahoma Baptist University
Dr. Nicholaus Meyers – East Central University
Clayton Peliti – Southern Nazarene University
Bill Repavich – University of Central Oklahoma
Performance Notes
I wrote this piece as an etude for double vertical strokes. At the same time, I tried to go beyond the technique to make it a piece of music that can be emotionally expressive. Work on those clean double verticals and interval changes. And make sure you really think about the perfect angle for all of the overlapping and interlocking hand positions. But don’t forget to find the music and let the piece bounce and flow and sing and breathe. I hope you have fun playing Windowlight! – Blake Tyson
Windowlight can be performed by itself or paired with Night Light. If they are performed together, Windowlight should be played first.